The band actually was called Chicago Transit Authority before the real CTA took legal action, that’s when this band became just Chicago. That’s sort of what happened to their music also. This album is pretty big in sound with horns, guitars, pianos and that kind of good feeling vibe that built around the lead singers voice. This would probably be the album I’d get if I were so inclined. Their later stuff gets really cheesy and commercial.
The “Chirping” Crickets (1957) by The Crickets
The world was introduced to some guy named Buddy Holly on this album and for a lot musicians around the world, music would never be the same. Holly’s mix of rock and blues and country and mixed together in the perfect pop stew. “That’ll Be the Day” and “Oh Boy” and “Not Fade away” are gems.
The Chronic (1992) by Dr. Dre
This album is listed as being on page 684. But it’s actually 689. That’s a shout out to all those copy editors out there. This is a landmark rap album. I can’t say that I’ve listened to it, but I have heard “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thing.” More importantly, Snoop Dogg makes his debut all over the place as Dre hits it big solo.
The Clash (1977) by The Clash
While The Clash are sometimes placed behind the Sex Pistols in importance in terms of punk bands from the 70s, the Clash were a more politically driven and stronger skilled group than the Pistols. This album has endured the test of time.
Remember that one time
Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000) by Limp Bizkit
If you didn’t hear “Rollin’” around this time, you probably didn’t have MTV or VH1. Bizkit, led by backward-red-hat-wearin’ Fred Duerst and that guitarist that looked like he should be playing with Marylyn Manson, were at the top of their fame. It wouldn’t last as most people figured out that the songs were all pretty much the same.
Not sure where these go
Close To The Edge (1972) by Yes
We might have studied this in class, but I am not sure. There are three song this album so it seems like it would fit.
Close To You (1970) by The Carpenters
Well this is about as poppy and produced as you can get. Everybody knows a Carpenter song, they may not know it’s the Carpenters, but I guarantee they know one of their songs. How bout “We’ve Only Just Begun.” If you’ve seen Happy Gilmore, you know this song.
Cloud Nine (1969) by The Temptations
This was another classic band stepping out a little bit, getting a little more political, a little more serious and a little more experimental.
Coat of Many Colors (1971) by Dolly Parton
Parton penned a ton of songs that hit the top of the charts. I don’t really know this album, but they call it her masterpiece. I have to give Parton her props. She knew how to make music and how to make lots of money.
The Best of the Rest
Chore of Enchantment (2000) by Giant Sand
Although with various incarnations this underground band survived from the early 80s into the 2000s. Not bad for someone who never hit it really big. A guy named Howe Gelb pretty much runs this show. The song “Shiver” is pretty good. The rest seems kind of dark and depressing.
The Rest
A Christmas Gift For You (1963) by Phil Spector
This is exactly what it sounds like. Christmas tunes mixed by Spector and various artists. It was originally released the day before JFK was shot and subsequently pulled out of respect. (Maybe that was Hal’s fathers plan all along. Stop Phil Spector.)
Clandestino (1998) by Manu Chao
This might be the French version of Sublime. I can neither confirm nor deny this. It does feature four different languages.
Closer (1980) by Joy Division
There seems to be little joy here as this essentially became the lead singers suicide note put to music.
Club Classics Vol. One (1989) by Soul II Soul
Well this dance music and album designed to recreate the club scene. That really isn’t my scene.
Clube Da Esquina (1972) by Milton Nascimento and Lo Borges
They compared this album to Sgt. Peppers in the first sentence. I stopped reading there.
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2 comments:
I agree with your comment on this group. Good music just not stuff I am crazy about. I do have a couple of these albums though so that will give me something to talk about. I didnt know Chicago originally was called CTA, that is interesting. Shows how misguided rebels they were and then went soft :) Isn't it funny how bands started out like "The Crickets", The Supremes and end up turning into 'Buddy Holly & The Crickets' or 'Diana Ross & The Supremes' when they realize who the true talent is. I wonder why that doesn't happen anymore. We never ended up calling it 'Billy Corgan & The Smashing Pumpkins' or 'Courtney Love & Hole' although 'Hootie & The Blowfish' kinda worked the opposite way. No one knows Rucker's real name.
I think it was all about marketing. In the 60s, the labels wanted to market the next big star. You throw a group out there and see who sticks. Holly was the face, let's make him a star. If the band hangs around that is great.
I don't think you see that now for a few reasons. One, I think the rest of the band members in these groups realized once you tag a name in front, the rest of the group becomes disposable. Two, a lot of individuals just drop the bands when they want to go solo. The Wallflowers are a little like that. Dylan is doing solo stuff now (although I think some of the band help with it), but the group also still tours together.
Tom Petty has always been a weird case for this. Every decade he releases a solo album, with tunes that could easily fit on a TP & the Heartbreakers album, and more often than not the Heartbreakers play on the solo album. Although, I think I've heard in at least one of those instances, the whole band didn't want to tour with an album at various points and that was the reasoning behind it.
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